Music-leaf turner.



N6. 781,055. PATENTED'JAN. 31, 1905.

E. P. DORWARD.

MUSIC LEAF TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31, 1904,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED JAN. 31, 1905.

E. P, DORWARD.

MUSIC LEAP TURNER.

AIPLIOATION $11.31) 1613.31, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

( 7 WOLVMZAQ G/ Witneooeo UNITED STATES Patented January 81, 1905.

EDWIN P. DORWARD. OE MARION, OH

lVlUSlG-LEAF TURNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,055, dated January 31, 1905.

Application filed March 31, 1904 Serial No, 200,999.

f 0/ 1071,0777, it IIt/ty concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN P. DORWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Music-Leaf Turners, of which the following is a specification.

Musicians have long felt the need of a device which will automatically turn the leaves of a musical composition, thereby leaving the hands free for manipulation of the instrument,

so that no susceptible interruption or break in the execution is occasioned, as when the music is turned by hand and which not infrequently mars the effect.

This invention provides a mechanism which may be readily adjusted to the thickness of the book or piece, to the height or length thereof, and which will turn the leaves either forward or backward, as may be desired, thereby enabling parts of the piece to be repeated.

In devising the mechanism the working parts are compactly arranged and formed so as to be noiseless in operation and to insure responsive and positive action, which is essential in a device of the character aforesaid.

A further purpose of the invention is to utilize pedals as the prime actuators and to interpose between the leaf-gripping means and the pedal mechanism gearing which may be thrown into and out of action, as may be desired, to meet varying conditions. The in termediate gear between the pedal mechanism and the leaf-gripping means is of such construction as to operate in successive order, whereby during the initial movement of the pedal power is storedin operatingsprings for turning the leaves, and during a continued movement of the pedal a detent is thrown into position to restrain all the leaves but one, and during the final movement of the pedal the leaf next in order is turned. These several operations occur rapidly, so as to produce, in effect, one result at each operation of the pedal.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the followingdescription and drawings hereto attached.

\Vhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure 1 is a front view of a music-stand equipped with a leaf-turning mechanism embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of a music-rack and leaf-turning mechanism on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the inner lower corner portion of a turningarm. Fig. 4 is a plan section on the line :1: ."u of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a series of turning-arms and the detents cooperating therewith. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the gearing between the vertical shaft and the pedaloperated connections, showing the frame or housing therefor. Fig. 7 is a top view of the music-rack and leaf-turning mechanism. Fig. 8 is an edge view of the parts shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the bracket, having adjustable connection with the upper end of the m usie-rack to admit of varying the distance of the turning-arms therefrom when it is required to adapt the device to books of different thicknesses. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the outer end portion of a clip. Fig. 11 is a section of a springbarrel on the line Y Y of Fig. 12. Fig. 19. is a plan section on the line Z Z of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the parts substantially as shown in Fig. 6, illustrating the relation of the cooperating gears 7 and 14 when separated.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The leaf-turning mechanism which constitutes the essential feature of this invention may be applied to a music-rack of any pattern or design, according to the nature of the instrument for which the rack is adapted. As shown in Fig. 1, the music-rack is associated with a stand of usual construction, the same being of the foldable type, so as to be conveniently carried. The stand, as illustrated, comprises the upright 1, folding legs 2, and

braces 3. Pedals 1 and 5 are pivotally connected to the lower portion or upright 1 of the stand, and connections 6 extend therefrom through the upright 1 and are pivotally connected at their upper ends to a segmental gear 7, arranged at the upper end of the upright and within a frame 8, constituting a base for the music-rack. Upon depressing the pedal 5 the segment 7 is oscillated to the right, and upon pressing down upon the pedal 4 the segment is turned to the left, and these movements of the segment 7 are utilized for turning a shaft to store power in operating; springs 9, by means of which the leaves are turned when the turning-arms are released.

The music-rack is indicated at 10 and, as herein stated, may be of any construction, design, pattern, or make. The frame 8 is of box form and provides a housing for inclosing the operating parts, so as to protect the same and conceal them from view, as well as prevent any part of the raiment from coming in contact therewith and becoming soiled by the lubricant applied to the parts to insure their smooth and quick action. A bracket 11 is adjustably connected with the upper portion of the music-rack to admit of moving the turning-arms toward and from the plane of the music-rack, according to the thickness of the book supported thereby. A shaft is journaled in the bracket 11 and in the frame 8 and is composed of sections 12 and 13, which are coupled in any manner, the sectional construction being advantageous in the assembling of the parts, although not essential to the efficiency of the mechanism. The lower part 13 of the shaft carries a segmental gear 1A, which is adapted to intermesh with the segmental gear 7, whereby the shaft may be turned either to the right or to the left, according to which one of the pedals 1 or 5 is depressed. The segmental gears 7 and 14 are so arranged that depression of the pedal 5 will turn the shaft to the left and downward movement of the pedal 4 will rotate the shaft to the right. This result is effected by having the said gears 7 and 1 1 intermesh at a point in rear of the said vertical shaft.

The shaft is vertically movable to admit of disconnecting the segmental gear 14 from the segmental gear 7, thereby admitting of the turning-arms being shifted readily from one side of the music rack to the other, as may be required This arrangement also admits of operating the appliance by hand, as will appear more fully hereinafter. The bracket 11 is provided at its outer end with a vertical sleeve in which the upper portion 12 of the shaft is journaled and is formed with a curved slot 15, in which a pin 16 is adapted to operate. said pin projecting laterally from the shaft. A notch 17 at the upper end of the curved slot forms a rest in which the pm 16 becomes seated when the shaft is moved upward and turned so as to tension the operating-springs 9 when the appliance is set for turning the leaves in the performance of the piece. A thumb-piece 18 is fitted to the upper end of the shaft for convenience of turning the same when required. A spring 19 exerts a pressure upon the shaft, so as to hold the pin 16 seated in the notch 17 and to return the shaft to a normal position when the pin 16 is moved from the seat 17. The turning-arms are hinged upon the vertical shaft so as to swing from right to left, and vice versa, and each consists of a bar or strip 20 and clips 21 and 22. The clips 22 occupy the lowermost position and are stationary, whereas the clips 21 are vertically adjustable to adapt the contrivance to the height of the music or book. Each of the clips 21 and 22 comprises spring-closed jaws, between which the leaf is gripped. The pintle-rod 23, upon which the jaws are pivotally mounted, is extended at its outer end and bent to provide an arch, loop, or crimp 24, which comes between the outer end portions of the jaws and constitutes an opener to force the same apart to facilitate the insertion of the leaf or the removal of the same from between the jaws. The extreme portions of the pintle-rod is bent, as shown at 25, to form a finger-piece, which is gripped when it is re quired to turn the pintle-rod so as to operate the crimps or opener portions 2 1, so as to spread the jaws of the clip to admit of the sheet either being placed in position or removed. The [inger-piece 25 extends beyond the rack, so as to be conveniently operated. The bar or strip 20 has a longitudinal slot 26, in which operates pin 27 of lug or bracket 28, to which the upper clip 21 is pivoted. A series of notches 29 are formed in the outer edge of the bar or strip 20 to receive the inner end of the pintle-rod of said upper clip, so as to hold the latter in the adjusted position. A spring 30 normally holds the upper pintle-rod in engagement with the notch 29, in which it is seated. For convenience in placing the music in position or removing it from the rack upper clip 21 is pivoted to the lug or bracket 28, so as to be turned upward out of the way, and when lowered into a horizontal position it is held in place by means of a pin or stop 31, projected laterally from the said lug 28. The bars or strips 20 are hinged or pivotally connected to the vertical shaft in any manner so as to turn freely thereon and are preferably provided with hinge lugs, which are apertured to receive the vertical shaft.

It is well known that sheet-music comprises double or folded sheets and loose or single sheets, and to adapt the appliance to the double and single sheets a space 32 is provided at the inner end of each of the clips 21 and 22, said space receiving the double or folded sheet.

Each turning-arm is provided with an operating-spring 9, and the latter is arranged within a barrel 33, which comprises inner and outer rims, the latter being attached to or forming a part of the turning-arm, so as to turn therewith. The inner rim is of a size to snugly fit upon the lower portion 13 of the aforementioned vertical shaft and is provided with an inner lug 34 to enter a slot or longitudinal seat 35, formed in a side of the part 13, so as to provide interlocking connection between the shaft and the spring-barrel. The inner rim of the barrel is loose, so as to turn with the vertical shaft without causing corresponding movement of the remaining portion of the barrel. A lug or projection 36 extends outward from the inner portion of the barrel, and a corresponding lug or projection 37 extends inward from the outer rim of the barrel, and companion springs 9 are located within the barrel and confined between the said lugs 36 and 37 and are adapted to be tensioned, according as the vertical shaft is turned either to the right or to the left. As hereinbefore stated, the vertical shaft may be turned either through the instrumentality of the pedals 4 and 5 or by means of the finger-piece 18, and in either case the operating-springs 9 are sub jected to tension sufficient to move the turning-arms when released from the restraining mechanism.

The restraining mechanism is duplicated for each side of the music-rack, so as to control the movement of the turningarms in each direction. Corresponding detents 38 and 39 are arranged in the end portions of the frame 8. The detent 38 consists of a curved blade pivoted to a post 40 and is provided with an arm 41 and an opposite extension connected by spring 42 to the lower portion of the frame 8, said spring holding the curved blade or detent 38 in a-normal positionthat is, out of the path of the turning-arms. The detent 39 is curved to render the operation noiseless and is provided with a stem 43, which is slidably mounted in the frame 8 and in a bearing 44, projected into said frame from a side thereof. The bearing 44 likewise serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the arm 41. The outer or lower end of the stem 43 terminates in a finger-piece to be gripped when it is required to operate the mechanism by hand. A stop 45 is adjustable upon the stem 43 and consists of a nut threaded thereon and is adapted to limit the movement of the detent or curved blade 38 preliminary to the operation of the detent 39. A spring 46 is mounted upon the upper portion of the stem 43 and is confined bet-ween the bearing 44 and a pin or stop 47, applied to said stem. The spring 46 normally holds the detent 39 projected into the path of the turning-arms.

A stop 49 is adjustable upon the upper portion of each of the connections 6, being preferably threaded thereto, and is adapted to effect operation of the detents upon movement of either pedal. A connector 50 is interposed between each connection 6 and the arm 41 of the detent 38, and this connector preferably consists of a wire having one end formed into an eye and receiving the connection 6 and its opposite end attached to the arm 41. A coil 51 is provided in the length of the connector 50 and serves as a finger-piece, as well as to admit of lengthening and shortening of the connector incident to the op eration of the mechanism. A spring 52 surrounds the upper portion of each connection 6 and is interposed between the lower end of the connector 50 and a pendent portion of the frame 8, and this spring maintains the pedal and parts cooperating therewith in normal position.

The operation of the device may be briefly stated as follows: The music to be turned is placed upon the rack 10 and the leaves are engaged by the arms 21 and 22. If the composition is such as not to require repetition and the leaves are to be turned forward only, the vertical shaft may be moved upward to disengage the segmental gears and 14 and to tension the operating-springs 9 in one direction. As the leaves are required to be turned forward the pedal 5 is depressed. During the initial movement of the connection 6 the stop 49 is brought in contact with the connector 50 and the detent 38 is thrown into the path of the turning-arms immediately in the rear of the one to be released and turned. During the final movement of the connection 6 the arm 41 is brought into contact with the stop 45 and the detent 39 is moved out of the path of the aforementioned turning arm, thereby permitting the same to turn and move the leaf attached thereto. hen the pedal 5 is released, the parts assume a normal position by the several springs 52, 42, and 46 regaining themselves, when the operation is repeated by the next depression of the pedal 5. When the leaves are to be turned forward and backward, the vertical shaft is lowered to bring the segmental gears 7 and 14 into meshing relation. Upon depressing the pedal 5 the vertical shaft is turned in one direction during the initial movement, thereby tensioning the operating-springs, and the detents 38 and 39 are operated in successive order during the remainder of the movement of the pedal 5. Upon depressing the pedal 4 the vertical shaft is moved in the opposite direction, thereby reversely tensioning the operating-springs 9,and' the other set of detents are operated, thereby permitting the turning backward of the leaves. During the initial depression of either one of the pedals the stop 49 has limited movement before coming in contact with the connector 50, and during this interval the operatingsprings are placed under tension, or, in other words, power is stored therein for operating the turning-arms. When the stop 49 comes in contact with the connector 50 and the latter is moved,the detent 38 is projected into the IIO path of the turning-arms succeeding the one to be released, and when the arm 41 comes in contact with the stop 4L5 the detent 39 is moved out of the path of the foremost turning-arm, and the latter when released turns under the action of the force stored in the operatingsprings 9, as herein described.

A pin 53 is applied to the detent 38 and projects from opposite sides thereof and acts in the capacity of a lifter for elevating the sheet to clear the base of the rack, so as to facilitate turning of the leaf when released from the detent 39.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a turning-arm, an operating-spring therefor, means for subjecting the operating-spring to tension in either direction, and a detent for holding the turning-arm in a given position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a turning-arm, a detent therefor, an operating-spring for the turning-arm, and actuating means for placing the operating-spring under tension during a part of its movement and for operating the detent during the remainder of its movement, substantially as set forth.

3. .In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a turning-arm, an operating-spring,detents, and actuating means for placing the operating-spring under tension during a part of its movement in either direction and for operating the selected detent during the remainder of its movement, substantially as described.

4. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, an operatingspring for each arm, cooperating detents, the one normally held out of the path of the turning-arms and the other normally extended into the path thereof, and actuating means for placing all of said operating-springs under tension during a part of its movement and reversing the position of the said detents in successive order during the remainder of its movement, whereby the foremost turning-arm is released and the remaining turning-arms held in restraint, substantially as specified.

5. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operating-springs therefor, separate and independent detents, the one arranged normally out of the path of the turning-arms and the other normally projected across the path of said turning-arms, actuating means for placing the operatingsprings under tension, a connector between said actuating means and the detent normally out of the path of the turning-arms, and connecting means between the two detents, whereby when the detent normally out of the path of the turning-arms is projected into the path thereof to hold the succeeding turning-arms in restraint, the detent normally in the path of the turning-arms releases the foremost and permits the same to turn, substantially as set forth.

6. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operating-springs therefor, a detent for normally holding the turning-arms in a given position, a second detent normally held out of the path of the turning-arms, connecting means between the two detents to admit of each having a limited movement independent of the other, actuating means for placing the operating-spring under tension, and a connector between said actuating means and the detent normally held out of the path of the turning-arms, substantially as set forth.

7. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arl'ns, operating-s 'irings therefor, tensioning means for the operatingsprings, two detents, the one normally out of the path of the turning-arms and the other normally extended across their path, connecting means between the two detents to admit of each having a limited movement, and a connector between the detent normally out of the path of the turning-arms and the aforementioned spring-tensioning means, substantially as specified.

8. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operati11g-springs therefor. tensioning means for the operatingsprings, two detents, the one normally out of the path of the turning-arms and the other normally extended across their path, connecting means between the two detents to admit of each having a limited movement, and a connector between the detent normally out of the path of the turning-arms and the aforementioned spring-tensioning means, said connector having a spring portion in its length to admit of its lengthening and shortening, substantially as set forth.

9. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operating-springs therefor, a slidably-mounted detent having an extended portion forming a finger-piece, a pivotally-mounted detent, springs cooperating with the two detents, an arm projected from the pivoted detent, an adjustable stop applied to the slidable detent and cooperating with said arm, and actuating means connected to the arm of the pivoted detent, substantially as set forth.

10. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operatirig-springs therefor, a slidably-mounted detent, a hearing therefor, a pivoted detent, springs cooperating with said detents, an arm projected from the pivoted detent and normally in engagement with said bearing, a stop adjustably mounted upon the slidable detent for said arm to impinge against, and actuating means connected to said arm, substantially as specified.

11. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a series of turning-arms, operating-springs therefor, detents cooperating With the turning-arms to admit of one at a time being released, pedal-operated actuating means for placing the operating-springs under tension and controlling the movements of said detents, and hand-operated means for throwing the pedal-operated means out of gear With the means for tensioning the operating-springs and at the same time placing said operatingsprings under tension, substantially as set forth.

12. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a shaft, a turning-arm pivotally mounted upon said shaft, a barrel mounted upon said shaft and comprising inner and outer portions, the inner portion having connection With the shaft and the outer portion having connection With the turning-arm, a set of springs arranged Within the barrel and oppositely disposed to normally neutralize each other, and means for turning the shaftin either direction to tension either one or both of said springs to effect a movement of the turningarm either to the right or to the left, substantially as set forth.

13. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a strip or bar, a clip attached thereto and comprising hinged parts, and a pintle-rod connecting the parts of the clip and having a portion crimped or bent to extend between the parts of the clip, substantially as set forth.

14. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a bar or strip, a clip adjustable thereon and comprising hinged members and a pintlerod for connecting the members of the clip and longitudinally movable for holding said clip to the bar or strip in an adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

15. In a music-leaf turner, the combination of a bar or strip, a clip adjustable thereon and comprising hinged members, and a pintlerod connecting said hinged members and adapted to hold the clip in an adjusted position and having a portion bent and normally lying between the hinged members to form an opener, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

EDWVIN P. DORIVARD. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

L. B. MONEAL, A. F. MoNeAL. 

